Nestled at the base of the Book Cliffs, Green River (pop. 847) is a small but mighty town in southeastern Utah’s high desert. Throughout the years, Green River has seen its share of boom and bust cycles, from outlaws in the late 1800s to a Cold War-era missile test site. Through investments in arts, housing, and public space, Epicenter is building a future for Green River driven by the vision and needs of local people, not outside extraction. Canal Commons will provide a mix of rental and owner-occupied affordable units for a community that sorely lacks safe, accessible housing.
Developed in collaboration with Epicenter and Green River residents, a series of public and semi-public spaces will connect the new housing to the canal and a nearby community park. The design for the Commons reflects the local blend of working and wild landscapes, transitioning from the rigid geometry of the irrigation canal to the flows of the arroyo. Sunken gathering spaces also serve as overflow detention basins for Green River’s rare but intense rainstorms, with rocky swales and scrambles offering informal exploration and play. The planting highlights local desert species like rubber rabbitbrush and Utah serviceberry, while also creating space for community stewardship through an orchard and pollinator garden.
— ABLE Studio, Seattle, WA
For the past 9 months, Epicenter has been fortunate enough to work with ABLE Studio on the design of the Commons which is both an extension of our exisiitng Pearl Baker Park as well as what will be the spaces between the houses at Canal Commons. Early in the process we asked Landscape Architect Ashely Ludwig and Landscape Designer Ari Vamos a few questions:
What’s your favorite part about working in rural communities?
Ashley Ludwig: I love getting to see all the various ways that people in rural communities give back to their community by volunteering their time, their knowledge, their resources to help improve and support each other. It’s amazing to see how far investments in rural communities can go, how funds can get stretched and better utilized because of the input from the community.
Ari Vamos: I love how interconnected and resourceful rural communities are. Even when resources are limited, there’s so much willingness to come together and think creatively about how to make projects happen – there’s always someone who knows someone who can help you find what you need, whether that’s a specific material or a bit of local knowledge.
What surprised you most about Green River?
AL: I think I underestimated how vast and remote the landscape around Green River is, and yet how colorful and abundant it is. The bright yellow cottonwoods and the sandy earth were just stunning, especially when we were on site just before sunset.
AV: I was really blown away by people’s connection to and knowledge of local ecologies. It’s a rare treat to hold a community design workshop and immediately get to nerd out with people about native plants and low-water landscaping! Our conversations really showed me how much Green River residents value their local landscape and want to see it celebrated in public spaces.
What’s your favorite plant and why?
AL: This is a hard question, but my favorite plant that we saw in the Green River area was fragrant sumac, Rhus aromatica, a medium sized shrub with fantastic red fall color and red berries who’s leaves give off a spicy fragrance when crushed.
AV: There’s no way I can pick just one, but one of my favorite native plants here in the Pacific Northwest is common camas, camassia quamash. It’s a stunning deep blue wildflower that historically grew in huge masses in prairies and marshes, and the bulbs are a traditional food for Coast Salish and other Indigenous peoples.
We’re incredible grateful to have worked with ABLE Studio on this project. They’ve provided a planting and irrigation plan, suggested fixtures and materials, created renderings of the design, provided construction drawings for the entire site, and more! As the construction of our houses at Canal Commons near completion, we look forward to seeking and receiving funding to build the Commons. Thanks ABLE!
This project was made possible by The National Endowment for the Arts (Our Town Design Grant).